You can register your vehicle in the state of Oregon with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You can choose from a variety of Oregon license plate types, which include specialty and disability license plates.
For an additional fee, you can personalize your license plate to have a unique plate number.
Residents of Oregon are required to register their vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Vehicles like cars, trucks, and vans must have a license plate secured to the front and rear. Motorcycles and trailers are only required to have a license plate secured at the rear.
All vehicles must have valid, up-to-date registration decals in order to drive legally on the roads in Oregon.
To apply for license plates, go to an Oregon DMV office and submit the following:
You are required to register your vehicle within 30 days of purchase or when becoming a new resident with an out-of-state vehicle.
When you register your vehicle, it is possible to apply for various types of license plates. You can get:
When purchasing a new vehicle, you’ll be required to obtain temporary license plates to drive legally until your registration is completed.
Temporary license plates are provided by accredited DMV locations and remain valid for 21 days.
The state of Oregon has various specialty license plates dedicated to organizations, occupations, military personnel, charities, and more. The following are examples of specialty Oregon license plates that you can apply for:
All specialty license plates have different fees in addition to the regular registration fees. For some plates dedicated to charities and nonprofits, a portion of the fee is donated to the organization’s cause.
If you want to personalize your license plate with a custom plate number, you can look up what is available online.
You must following the state’s guidelines in order to be eligible for personalized license plates:
You will be required to pay a fee in addition to the regular plate fees when you register a personalized plate.
If you already have license plates, it is possible to change your license plates by submitting an application either online, in person, or by mail.
If you have a disability, you may be eligible for disability license plates or placards.
You must submit any necessary medical documents to be eligible for disability plates and placards in Oregon.
Contact an Oregon DMV office for more information.
Whenever your plates are lost, damaged, or stolen, you must apply for replacements with your local DMV office.
You can apply for replacement plates by mail, or you can go to the nearest office.
Note: You don’t have to submit a police report if your plates were stolen. However, doing so helps prevent their misuse.
You are required to keep your license plates with you after selling, donating, or auctioning your vehicle.
If you purchase a new vehicle, you can transfer your old plates for an additional fee when registering your vehicle at the DMV.
You are not permitted to sell your license plates with your vehicle.
You may be required to surrender your Oregon license plates if:
Plates can be surrendered to a qualified DMV location either by mail or in person.
You are required to renew your vehicle’s registration every 2 years. You may receive a notification in the mail with information about renewing your vehicle either:
After you have renewed your vehicle, you will receive new decal stickers to be placed on your rear license plate.
The following are some of the fees you may be required to pay for your vehicle:
Note: You may be required to pay for taxes and additional services when you register or renew your vehicle. Contact your local DMV office for more information about the type of vehicle you have.
You can perform an online search for available license plates in Oregon by using the search bar above.
You’ll be able to see if a plate number is available or already registered with another vehicle. You may also be able to see a vehicle’s history and other information, such as images and videos.
